What kind of scam is "FedEx Shipping Labels/Documents In PDF Format"

What kind of email is "FedEx Shipping Labels/Documents In PDF Format"?

After inspecting this email, we determined that it is a phishing scam. The message is disguised as a FedEx notification about attached shipping labels and documents. It contains an HTML file attachment that, when opened in a browser, displays a fake FedEx login page designed to steal email account credentials. This email should be ignored to avoid having account information compromised.

"FedEx Shipping Labels/Documents In PDF Format" email scam overview

The email arrives with the subject "FedEx - Import Invoice AWB# 869696171534" and appears to be a routine shipping notification from FedEx. It claims that shipping labels and documents are attached in PDF format and instructs the recipient to print them and drop off the package at a FedEx location.

Despite what the email says, the attached file is not a PDF. It is an HTML file named FedEx~Shipping invoice.html. Opening it in a browser launches a fake FedEx page that runs locally on the user's device, with no external website involved.

The fake page presents itself as a "Tracking Information Access" portal and states that the page is restricted. It prompts visitors to enter their email credentials to access the supposed tracking details. The login form even pre-fills the recipient's email address automatically.

Any password entered into that form goes directly to the scammers. With access to an email account, criminals can read private messages, reset passwords on linked services, and take over other accounts. The consequences of a single compromised password can be extensive.

It must be stated clearly that FedEx has no connection to this scam. Its name and branding have been misused without permission solely to make the fraudulent email appear trustworthy.

Email scams in general

In summary, this email is a phishing scam disguised as a FedEx shipping notification. Its goal is to trick recipients into opening an HTML attachment and entering their email account password into a fake login page. Sometimes, scams like this are also used to distribute malware. The email should be disregarded entirely.

More examples of similar scam emails are DHL Express Commerce Status Update, American Express - Personal Loan Approved, and Benefits Review Notice.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Spam emails are a common method used by threat actors to spread malware. The malicious payload is typically delivered as a file attachment. Attachments can take many forms, including executable files, archive files, PDF documents, Microsoft Office files, and HTML files. Opening them, or enabling embedded features like malicious macro commands, can trigger an infection.

Spam emails may also contain links to malicious websites. Visiting these pages can result in automatic malware downloads or direct users to pages that trick them into running harmful programs. In most cases, some form of user interaction is required before the infection process begins.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Exercise caution with any unexpected email that contains file attachments or links. Do not open attachments from unknown or unverified senders. Be especially alert when an attachment does not match what the email describes - such as an HTML file presented as a PDF document.

Download software exclusively from official websites and verified app stores. Avoid pirated content, key generators, and third-party cracking tools, as these often carry hidden malware. Keep your operating system and all installed applications up to date to reduce exposure to known vulnerabilities.

Use a reputable antivirus program and run scans regularly. Do not allow unfamiliar websites to send browser notifications. If you have already opened a suspicious attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to detect and remove any infiltrated threats.

Text presented in the "FedEx Shipping Labels/Documents In PDF Format" email letter:

Subject: FedEx - Import Invoice AWB# 869696171534 // Pcrisk Co.,LTD

FedEx

Hello ********,

Attached are your shipping label(s) and/or document(s) in PDF format. Please print your documents and drop off your labelled package at a FedEx location, OR request a FedEx pickup if you do not have one scheduled. If you have any questions, please go to fedex.com and click on the Support link for information on how to contact us.

Please refer to the attachment to view the shipping document and FedEx receipt for tracking purposes.

Thank you for shipping with FedEx!

Please note – FedEx Express® shipments: Commercial Invoice paperwork is required for most non-document commodities. You must submit one signed original and two copies.

The fake FedEx login page displayed by the HTML attachment:

Instant automatic malware removal:

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Quick menu:

• What is FedEx Shipping Labels/Documents In PDF Format phishing scam?
• Types of malicious emails.
• How to spot a malicious email?
• What to do if you fell for an email scam?

Types of malicious emails:

Phishing Emails

Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.

Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.

After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.

Emails with Malicious Attachments

Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.

In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.

If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.

While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.

Sextortion Emails

This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.

To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.

How to spot a malicious email?

While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:

• Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
• Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
• Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
• Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.

To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows. 

Example of a spam email:

What to do if you fell for an email scam?

• If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
• If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
• If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
• If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using  Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
• Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Scammers distribute these messages in bulk to large numbers of people. Email addresses are typically collected through data breaches, fake websites, and similar sources. These emails are generally not targeted at specific individuals.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

If you entered your email password, change it right away. Also update the passwords of any accounts that use the same credentials. If banking or financial details were shared, contact the relevant institution as soon as possible.

I have downloaded and opened a malicious file attached to an email, is my computer infected?

Executable files can launch malicious software the moment they are opened. Document types and HTML files generally require some user interaction, such as enabling macros or submitting a form, before any harmful activity begins. The level of risk depends on the file format and what the user does with it.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Your computer is safe. Simply reading the email without opening attachments or clicking links does not cause infection. Some form of interaction with the email's content would be required for any harm to occur.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner can detect and remove a wide range of malware infections. A complete system scan is necessary, however, to ensure that sophisticated or deeply embedded threats are fully identified and eliminated.